Christmas Cards Are Soooo 2008

We didn't want to replace the Holy Family with ours so we're sending out New Years cards.

Unfortunately the rolodex got lost in the move and I have to look up each address on-line. So if you get it late or not at all, we're sorry. But you are not missing much. Since we keep a blog we didn't include a letter reviewing our year. Those that don't already read our blog wouldn't want to read a letter.

We're heading down to Santa Clara as soon as there is a break in the weather.

Ho Ho Ho

The Pianist

Chloe had her first piano recital. She had her songs memorized but choked under pressure and had to use her music. I'm still proud of her. She has an amazing memory and learns quickly. If only she was more willing.

Road Trip

I love road trips. I love maps and planning out the course. I love seeing new places. I haven't been on a road trip in a long time. We left Friday after Chloe got out of school and came back Wednesday just in time for her to make it to her afternoon class. Dan didn't want her to miss too much school. She has already missed more than her fair share. But she's smart so I'm not worried. Anyway, we drove up past Portland and down the Oregan coast to the Redwoods in California then over to Crater Lake and back home. It was a little cold for a beach vacation but these very touristy destinations were completely empty. I had a goal of getting a good family picture to use for Christmas cards. We did not succeed. I'll try to post more pictures later.

We've Been Busy

We flew to California on a Thursday, went to Disneyland on Friday and Saturday, then flew home on Sunday. Dan's sister and her little family flew to Boise to spend Thanksgiving with us. (They arrived a couple of hours before us.) I was a bad hostess. I have no idea what to do in Boise when it is cold but no snow. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house along with the Reichner family. Kate and Chanell cooked a fabulous meal. (I opened a can of corn.) We played Mario Cart then went for a walk.

Kate, Scott and Sala flew out Friday morning. (Thanks for coming! It was fun to have you!) We drove to Logan Friday afternoon. We got to hang out with Rob, Rowe and Sid, Kyle & Ang, & Amy, Dalls, Tyler & Ella on Friday night. Saturday Dan and Kyle went chasing after bike-shop-ownership dreams while others went for a walk up the river trail.

Saturday night we crashed at the Gunn residence. We went to church with them on Sunday and hung out at their house and witnessed pregnant Danika consume large amounts of food. J/K. I was the one who downed three bowls of Chia's beans, rice and chicken combo which will not help the above jeans fit any looser.

Dan quit his job and got another one. (If you want details ask Dan to post about it.) He has a week off starting Tuesday. So we will probably hit the road again. Then I will have to rush to get ready for Christmas.

Busy time of year.

Flashback Friday

Since we'll be gone this weekend (Disneyland!) I'm doing the flashback early.

This is 5 years ago. Chloe slept in our bed for a year. She was a bed hog. We changed our ways with Stella and Fred. We trained Stella to go to sleep on her own. It was so awesome 99% of the time. But she could only sleep alone. This made plane rides and hotel stays miserable. Fred is also a good sleeper. We are hoping Fred does well this weekend. He takes two naps and sleeps from 7:30-7:30. Both Stella and Fred had/have pacifiers and comfort objects. I am not good at keeping a schedule. When I notice that Fred is grumpy I lay him down. But sometimes he is tired without being grumpy and then he goes to his crib and gets his pacifier and horse himself. Those signs are easiest to read. (Side note: all my kids have hummed while sucking on their binkies.)

Also in the above picture is my blankie. Dan was jealous of it for years so I finally got rid of it when we moved to Idaho. I miss it. It kept me warm. I'll have to make a new one.

Flashback Friday

I better write this down before I forget.

In our church we fast the first Sunday of every month and instead of our usual meeting we have a testimony meeting. Anyone in the congregation can go up to the pulpit and share their testimony of the gospel--what they believe is true. A couple of months ago Chloe whispered to Dan that she wanted to go up. I was a little hesitant to let her because I don't think a parent whispering to their kid what to say is considered a testimony. I would have liked to coach her a bit. But there wasn't time to protest and off they went. Dan went up on stage with her but not to the microphone. I was afraid she would freeze up and look back to him for help. But she didn't. She spoke clearly and calmly. She said, "I'm thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for the temple. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." I was very impressed. I didn't share my testimony in sacrament meeting until I was in college. I was way too shy when I was a kid. So when she sat back down by me, I told her that she did a good job and asked her why she decided to go up.

"I like talking in the microphone."

"Uh, I think you are supposed to do it because you love Jesus."

"And because I love Jesus."

Potty Time

Anyone want a free trip to Boise? All you have to do is potty-train Stella. I think she might have peeing under control but I still don't dare test her at night or at preschool. She is not a fan of duking on the pot. My mom called me last night with an idea she read in a book. You are supposed to lead the kid to come up with the solution. Something like this:

Stella, is Fred a big boy or a baby?

Baby

Is he very good at feeding himself?

No

No, he makes a mess. And he has to sleep in a crib. Is he good at talking?

No

Can he ride a bike?

No (laughing)

What would happen if we didn't put diapers on him?

He would pee and poo all over.

Yeah. Gross. What about you? Are you a big girl or a baby?

Big girl.

Yeah, you can ride a bike and....(talk about all the big girl things she can do). And what would you do if I didn't put a diaper on you.

Go in the potty.

Then I explained how diapers are expensive and I don't like to buy them and I ask her what she thinks we should do to solve this problem. It is the ol' missionary resolving doubts tactic. She is more likely to go along with the solution if it is her own. In the story my mom told me the little girl said, "I could stop using diapers and start peeing in the potty." Stella's solution to my problem? "Make Dad buy them."

October Fun

Decorating cookies at Chanell's.

Preschool parties and fieldtrips. Costumes. Cornmaze with my mom, Rachel and her kids.Carving pumpkins (and eating candy) with the Reichner's.

Halloween Costumes

Stella the Dragon

Fred the Knight

It looks like the dragon is kissing the knight but she is actually blowing fire. Princess Chloe

The King

The Royal Family

A peasant

Trouble

One year olds are so much fun. But they are a lot of work. Fred is so busy. He is always getting into things he shouldn't (cupboards, drawers, plants, dishwasher) and out of things he shouldn't (strollers, highchairs, shopping carts). Eating things he shouldn't (crayons, erasers off pencils, markers, glue, batteries). Climbing on things (the table, our bed, the bunkbed, the playhouse, the trampoline). Here are a bunch of pictures of Fred in action. From newest to oldest.

His new favorite thing is climbing on the table. If there is nothing to get into then he dances.
He slipped in the water he spilled and made this funny face.

I pull the chairs away from the table but then he climbs on the chairs and rocks back and forth and I'm afraid he will tip over.

He is always getting into food. He is like a little squirrel. He is very quick at ripping through packaging with the few teeth that he has.

I do feed him. A lot. I don't know if he is ever full. If the pantry is open or the fridge then he is right there ready to scavenge some food. There are always crumbs on the floor.

He can climb on the trampoline and up in the playhouse by himself. He loves to be outside but it is not easy keeping up with him.

He still loves to play in the water. Everytime the girls are brushing their hair or teeth Fred is right there, pushing his way to the sink.

Dirt.

But that is okay because he likes to sweep.

This highchair didn't have a strap so we bought a new chair. But he can get out of the belt. The other day we had to stop in the middle of the busy cross-walk and the guard had to help me across because he wouldn't stay in his straps in the bike trailer and I couldn't handle the bike and him. Such a pain.

Our dishwasher opens by pulling on it. He always gets in it. It is cute when the dishes are clean. He'll find a pot and spoon to bang with. But usually he is just getting in the way of me trying to load it.

We have put safety latches on most of our cupboards. Then he'll find some that aren't locked and then Dan has to put latches on them too. When my girls were little I didn't mind if they went exploring through the cupboards but I can't keep up with Fred. The floor was constantly scattered with dishes and toothbrushes and baggies. I had to put an end to his fun (he still has access to the pots and pans).

Friday Flashback

I was tagged. Here is the 4th photo in the 4th file:

June, 2002. I was pregnant with Chloe. Fishing in the Boulder mountains near Escalante. Wearing some attractive hand-me-down-then-cut-off over-alls.

I tag Amy, Rowe, Cyndi, Jordan & Chanell

The Bash

It takes a village to throw a party. Thanks Mom for cleaning. Mom and Ashton for decorating. Rachel for baking the cake. Chanell for picking up the balloons and being the photographer. Ashton and Taylor for being the villians and helping with the games. And Dan for helping with the capes (I sewed about 9 capes) and scooping ice cream.

Here is how the party went...

Superheroes waiting their turn to save the day. We timed the kids through an obstacle course. First, they climbed into the playhouse to rescue a baby.

After returning the baby to her stroller they had to crawl through a tunnel to save some foxes.

After placing the foxes in a ventilated box they had to return a wallet to the rightful owner.

Then they safely detonated a bomb (popped the balloon).

And, finally, untie the hostage.

Superheroes replenish with sports drinks. (Most of them ditched their capes because they were choking them.)

While the heroes were saving the day the presents were stolen by villians. (I wish I would have filmed the screams when the villians rushed down the stairs.) The heroes captured the villians and received a clue which started them on a scavenger hunt to find the presents.

Placing the candles.

Ended the party with a pinata.

More photos on flickr.

Not Your Average Corn Maze Post

While at the corn maze Chanell captured a UFO in a photo. Why are photos of UFO's always poor quality?

At first, I assumed it was just some dust on the lense but after closer inspection, it seems to have a jet stream. And we were at a corn maze. You know the connection. (Plus, only a UFO would make my otherwise sleek and smooth hair look like this.) Then we were taken up.
And after things-I-will-not-talk-about they released me (into better lighting).


But not Fred. That's right, he is no longer part of our family.
The End.